Themes and Topics from the Medieval Period England 1066-1485
Women in Medieval Society:
We are usually led to believe that women in medieval society were indifferent. They didn't work and their social status either depended on their husband or their father. However, Barbara Hanawalt has other thoughts. She believes that women did have a very significant role in medieval society. They were active in small trade and they were definitely active consumers. They owned, bought, and rented houses, rooms, and shops, and were in charge of up-keep for these as well (Beattie). The single woman probably would have been able to barely get by doing something like I just described. Women who were married had much more success and influence in medieval society. However, it wasn't just women who barely got by during this time. I think we all forget that there were men who were poor and in the same shoes as these women. Men and women needed money. Whether it was from inheritances or dowries, people flocked to the money and didn't care what happened to them as long as they received it. All in all, it seems that women have more of an impact and role in medieval society than we originally are led to believe.
Themes and Topics from the Medieval Period England 1066-1485
Women in Medieval Society:
We are usually led to believe that women in medieval society were indifferent. They didn't work and their social status either depended on their husband or their father. However, Barbara Hanawalt has other thoughts. She believes that women did have a very significant role in medieval society. They were active in small trade and they were definitely active consumers. They owned, bought, and rented houses, rooms, and shops, and were in charge of up-keep for these as well (Beattie). The single woman probably would have been able to barely get by doing something like I just described. Women who were married had much more success and influence in medieval society. However, it wasn't just women who barely got by during this time. I think we all forget that there were men who were poor and in the same shoes as these women. Men and women needed money. Whether it was from inheritances or dowries, people flocked to the money and didn't care what happened to them as long as they received it. All in all, it seems that women have more of an impact and role in medieval society than we originally are led to believe.